Day 1, April 25 Off to Saint Jean Pied de Port (SJPP)

SJPP to Orisson, 7.5 km , 10:55 am - 1:15 pm, 2h 20 min

A bit rainy and misty but not too bad. That morning at breakfast in hotel we met a girl form Finland, called Gun May Aman (Goomay). She was very nice and doing the Camino on her own. Gun May had a husband and 2 children but forget what age. I could identify with her but she seemed to be handling it better. Go figure,does suck ring a bell. Patrick had more wonderful stories and I could have listened to him longer but needed to get going. He told us of the lady he helped repack who originally was carrying 25 kg. Wonderful coffee, bread, croissants and jams for breakie. Patrick mention some other places close by like Bilbao, Biaritz, Hendaye, St. Jean de Luz, and Irun. They sounded facintating and I'd like to come back after the Camino and maybe visit them if I can. Irun is a village that when the fishing boats come in you can choose your fish and they'd cook it for you right there. Love that stuff. Before going into Bayonne train station we took pictures of my Little Red Roaster cups in front to show back home and get a $10 coupon. Then ditched the cups as just extra weight.

We boarded the neat, little train, one or two cars, and it reminded me of the St. Thomas to Pt. Staneyly train. Just a great ride. Very scenic with woolly sheep, streams, minature ponies, hawks (maybe turkye vultures) and woodlands. It was misting and overcast but could still view mchh of the landscape. We finaly arrived in SJPP and walked through the busy little village to theAcueil Saint Jacques welcoming centre for Pilgrims. This is the starting point for the Camino Frances. Here we bought our Spanish credentials and weighed our backpacks. I think Karen's was 9 kg, mine was 12 kg, and Daytons around 16 kg. Much too much weight for all. But we kept everything. We also purchased some fruit and snacks for the first leg to Orisson which added to the weight.

Off out of the village we head up and up (step by step along the way I go) into the Pyrenese sucking wind and wondering if we were going to make the first stop with our lungs caving in. We would not see much of the valleys because of the mist and fog but could still see the vistas of the mountain sides and had some spectacular views. We met other pilgrims but not many. We also saw a peregrino walking his hores and he had the attire of an ancient pilgrim and also his horse. Many of the horses and cows we saw on the hillside and road had large bells around their necks. I cut up an apple for one of the horses and all he did was spit at me and tried to eat Karen's coat. In the process I nicked my finger and instead of doing the medical correct thing I just licked it and wrapped a Kleenis around it. Off we went up and up and it started to rain, sleet and was damp and cool. It was a tough climb and thought of the affirmations and could agree with three of them even though really struggling. Just as the rain came heavier, we reached Refuge -Auberge Orisson and went inside to book into our dorm. Quaint hotel with rustic wood beams and stone. We checked in and then got set up in our bunks. We had to wash and dry our outer clothes and hand them up inside. We did get to use the dryer after a bit and soon were all set. Still not sure where everything is so have to unpack and repack things. Our room had 3 sets of bunks and one cot was put in. All totalled 7 in the small room. Should be interesting. Women's dorm full so Karen was with us. Then down to the pub for notes and beer/wine and snacks and commaradarie. People here are very friendly. The proprieter Jean Jacques, Rmva and Panchita, the gal were very helpful explaining things. Looking forward to dinner and more fun with the gang of multi national pilgrims. It was sure great of Ted and Barb to recommend we stay the first night here as it would have been dangerous and perhaps stupid to have tried to get to Roncesvales in one day.

Dinner was noisy and jovial with about 25 of us. We all introduced ourselves and many from Germany, France, and Canada via Quebec, U.S., and forget the other nationalities. A great meal of wine, salad, lentil chorizo soup, lamb, potatoes and yogurt and of course bread. Karen had veggie soup, bread, salad, and wine with I think icecream or fruit for dessert. I was so full I didn't think I could move so would sleep right at the table. Great time chatting then to bed to a cacophony of snoring. All were exhausted from the difficult first day which was another day the Lord had made.